GilbertWilcox

1919-2010 EAST ARLINGTON Gilbert E. "Gib" Wilcox, 91, a resident of Spruce Lane, died peacefully Sunday, June 13, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born at home on Red Mountain Road on Jan. 15, 1919, the son of Robert and Bessie Bentley Wilcox, he grew up in Sunderland and attended schools there and in Arlington. His mother died when he was just two, and he was raised by his grandparents, Albert and Sarah Wilcox.

Gib was an Army veteran serving in World War II and Korea. He served with I Company of the 172nd Infantry Division. In his military career, he received several commendations including the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, and he survived the sinking of the ship, S.S. Coolidge. A documentary depicting his military career during World War II was done by Matthew Belknap as a school project.

Gib married the former Ruth Moffitt on Aug. 9, 1952. In earlier years he had worked as a carpenter and a logger. He retired from Hale Furniture Company after working there for over 27 years. Following his retirement, he established Gib's Fishing Tackle, making lures for customers and stores throughout the Northeast.

Gib was a member of American Legion Post 69, Harned Fowler V.F.W. Post in Manchester, and Red Mountain Lodge F&AM, a former member of the Arlington Fish and Game Club and Past President Hale Mountain Fish and Game Club.

He loved the out-of-doors and was a strong advocate of maintaining the sports of hunting and fishing. He was fondly known as "the fisherman". He was recognized by the State of Vermont as the states oldest active trapper. He had assisted former Fish and Game Commissioner Edward Keough in establishing the Green Mountain Conservation Camp at Lake Bomoseen, and was a hunter safety instructor for 30 years.

He worked with Waterfowl Implementation Association and the state to create access to Vermont waterways. He raised pheasants to release into the wild to bolster the population and enjoyed spending time at the family camp at Crown Point on Lake Champlain.

He was a former member of the Arlington Zoning Board and Federated Church of East Arlington.

He leaves his wife, Ruth, of East Arlington; daughters, Donna McCray of East Arlington, and Susan and husband, Donald Welch, of Arlington; grandchildren, Joseph McCray of Bennington, Tanya Taylor of Pownal, Brenda McCray of Arlington, Ashley Welch of Bennington, Adam Welch, Andrew Welch and Amber Welch, all of Arlington; 11 great- grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by sisters, Stella Lamb and Mildred Matthews.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at the ARLINGTON CHAPEL OF THE HANSON-WALBRIDGE FUNERAL HOME. Burial with military honors will follow in the Ira Allen Cemetery in Sunderland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. when the family will be present. Masonic services will be held at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that in honor of Gib, you take a child fishing and introduce them to the sport.

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